On Prayer

Tertullian of Carthage · c. 200 AD

Ante-Nicene Fathers (Roberts–Donaldson), Roberts, Donaldson, and Coxe (eds.), Ante-Nicene Fathers, Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing, 1885–1887; digitized by CCEL.

Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus; the first great Latin Christian writer. A North African of Carthage, trained in rhetoric and law; coined much of the Latin theological vocabulary the West later inherited (Trinitas, persona, substantia). His pre-Montanist works are widely cited and respected; his later embrace of the New Prophecy (Montanism) places him outside the catalogue of formally venerated saints, though he is treated honourably as a witness and theologian.

Contents

1. General Introduction.
2. The First Clause.
3. The Second Clause.
4. The Third Clause.
5. The Fourth Clause.
6. The Fifth Clause.
7. The Sixth Clause.
8. The Seventh or Final Clause.
9. Recapitulation.
10. We May Superadd Prayers of Our Own to the Lord's Prayer.
11. When Praying the Father, You are Not to Be Angry with a Brother.
12. We Must Be Free Likewise from All Mental Perturbation.
13. Of Washing the Hands.
14. Apostrophe.
15. Of Putting Off Cloaks.
16. Of Sitting After Prayer.
17. Of Elevated Hands.
18. Of the Kiss of Peace.
19. Of Stations.
20. Of Women's Dress.
21. Of Virgins.
22. Answer to the Foregoing Arguments.
23. Of Kneeling.
24. Of Place for Prayer.
25. Of Time for Prayer.
26. Of the Parting of Brethren.
27. Of Subjoining a Psalm.
28. Of the Spiritual Victim, Which Prayer is.
29. Of the Power of Prayer.